Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-04-09
BEIDGETN TESTIMONY.
COMPLAINTS MADE BY WORKINGWO-
MEN WHO HAVE TRIED SERVICE.
Lack "i Freedom whom the Day. Work
IL b"ns-Thr I"n">"n-ne.s of House
hold service - Prisoners Who Are
Bo>,cd Fy-ria-tiugI,.

First on the list stands Margaret NJ,
IN American, - wears old and for five
years in "a paper box factory. Seven 9th
crS nodded their assent. or added "A word
her" and there aS she gave her view Two
Of them were Irish-Americans who had
had some years in ths public schools.
Its freedom that We want when the
days work is done. | know some nice
girls, Bridget : cousins, that make more
money and dress better and everything
for being in service They're mattresses
and have Thursday afternoon out and
part Of every other Sunday. But they re
never sure of one minute that's their own
when they re i'll the house. Our day is
ten hours long, but when it's done it's
done. and we can do what We like with
the evenings. That's what I've heard
from every nice girl that ever tried ser
vice. You're never sure that your soul 5
your own. except when you are out Of the
house, and | couldn't stand that n day.
Women care Just as much for freedom as
men do. OF course they don't get so
much, but know I'd fight for mine"
What minded" said gentle, quiet
girl who worked at a stationer's, and who
had tried household service for a year
what | minded was the awful lonesome
ness. | went for general homework be
cause | knew all about it, and there were
only three in tho family. | never minded
being alone evenings in my own room, for
I'm always reading or something and
don't 90 out hardly AT all: but then | al
ways know ! can and that there is some
body TO talk TO if | like. But there, ex-
cept 10 give orders. they had nothing to
do with me. II got to feel sort OF crush
ing at last. | cried myself sick, and at
last gave it up, though don't mind the
work at all
HATED THE VERY WORDS.
Third came an Irish American whose
mother had becn cook for years in one
family, hut who had. after few months
of service, gone into jrlte mill, followed
gradually by five sisters.
II hate the very words service and ser
want" she said We came 10 this coun-
try 10 better ourselves. aud it's not bet
tering Ia have anybody ordering you
round"
But you are ordered in tn. mill"
That's different. \ man knows what
he wants and doesn't 20 beyond it. but q
woman never knows what she wants and
bosses you eyerlastingly. II there was
such thing as fixed hours it might be
different. hut | tell every girl / know
'WhateHrr You do. don't go into service.
Iou'll always he prisoners and always
looked down upon. You can do things al
home for them as belongs 10 you, but
somehow il seems different To do for
strangers. Anyway. | hate il. and there's
plenty like me.
Women are always l.arder on women
than men are. said a fur sewer, an intel
ligent American about 30. II got tired
of alwsrs sitting and took place
AS chambeTmaia. The work was all right
and the wages good. but I'll tell you
what couldn't stand. The cook and the
waitress were just common. uneducatcd
Irish. and | had 10 room with one and
stand the personal habits Of both, and the
way thoy did ut table took all my appe-
titc. | couldn't eat. and began to run
down. and at last gave notice and told
the truth when | was asked why. The
lady Just looked at me astOnished. III
you take n servants place yOu can't cN-
pee TO hc one Of the family she said. /
never asked il. said. 'ill | ask is Il
chance NJ common deccnCy.' 1t will he
difficult 10 find an easier place than this,
she Saii. and knew il. but ease one way
wa hardness another. and she couldn't
see that | had any right 10 complain.
That's one trouble in the way. II : the
mixing mp ot things. ami mistreSses don't
think how they would feel in the same
place. Helen Campbril in New -Iork
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